Stealth games 🗡

[Frostbit 2,461]

I always try to use a stealth approach in any game that allows it. The first one I tried was Watch Dogs, back when I was too impatient to wait and not smart enough to use lures and distractions. I just liked takedown animations ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Far Cry 3 was the first stealth game that I actually finished. I couldn't fully sneak through it, because there were moments when you were expected to get in a gunfight, but other than that, I tried to stay undetected. It was also when I started limiting my ranged options, avoiding any guns except for tasers

Lately, I started playing Styx: Master of Shadows, that takes stealth to the next level. You are weaker and slower than most enemies, so getting spotted usually has more severe consequences. In the middle of the game, I decided to stop using manual saves, which makes the whole experience much different. Now it's less trial and error and more waiting, observing and planning, and when the plan works out it's extremely satisfying.  I'm gonna have to try that approach in other games.

So, what are your thoughts about stealth games? What are your favorite ones?

[Sophie 1,777]

It's kinda funny since I nearly always try to make a save game before a stealth part in a game where I try different options, like, playing rambo or being sneaky just to see what impact it has on the story of the game 

[Iforgotmybrain 8,246]

Dishonored is my all time favorite stealth game series. You get a great story with really, really fun gameplay that changes depending on rather you go loud and kill everyone or try to stay stealthy and avoid outright killing people. The powers are all fantastic and the level design is based around them perfectly. Plus you have amazing lore with a steampunk inspired setting that's super unique. Awesome games.

[Frostbit 2,461]

10 hours ago, Sophie said:

It's kinda funny since I nearly always try to make a save game before a stealth part in a game where I try different options, like, playing rambo or being sneaky just to see what impact it has on the story of the game 

It's always good to have options. Most people don't have time or patience to try full stealth, so adding stealth mechanics to action games prevents this playstyle from dying, while enhancing the games.

7 hours ago, Iforgotmybrain said:

Dishonored is my all time favorite stealth game series. You get a great story with really, really fun gameplay that changes depending on rather you go loud and kill everyone or try to stay stealthy and avoid outright killing people. The powers are all fantastic and the level design is based around them perfectly. Plus you have amazing lore with a steampunk inspired setting that's super unique. Awesome games.

I should give Dishonored another chance. I keep hearing good things about it. When I started playing, I made a mistake of considering the non-lethal approach to be the "correct" way to play, because you get the good ending. So it was like the game gives you tools to make gameplay fun, but discourages using them.

For me it's always been annoying when a game treats playing lethally like a failure. Like, you kill an enemy, and you get a red X in the pause menu, because you failed an optional challenge. If anything, this kind of playstyle should be a hidden challenge, that only shows up when you complete it.

[Soundwave 28,559]

Predictable answer especially for those who know me but it’s probably Metal Gear Solid. MGS3 is my favorite in the series but MGSV has the best stealth imo. And it’s very satisfying completing a mission with an S ranking

[Sasoriman 154]

There's a handful I've played that I can count on one hand, but here are a few -

Neighbors from Hell - where you sneak around your neighbor's house and troll the shit outta him. 

Thief Simulator - what it sounds like: breaking into peoples' houses and stealing their items.

Spy Chameleon - with this one, you can speedrun and just ignore the flies/ladybugs, but getting 100% means you have to replay each level.

[Misty Shadow 8,386]

I don't think I've played any stealth games outside of Metal Gear games, but when games incorporate stealth mechanics, I always play along with them because I find that easier to do than go guns blazing like I'm playing DOOM. Getting to instantly kill enemies from behind in RE4 Remake was really cool, one of my favorite upgrades to the remake. 

[Frostbit 2,461]

I just remembered the secret stealth takedown in Mad Max. There's like, one or two places in the whole game where an enemy is facing away and unalerted when you approach him. But the game doesn't have any other stealth mechanics, so he turns around as soon as you approach him  I only managed to do the stealth kill once despite replaying the game maybe three times.

 

On 2024-12-12 at 3:35 PM, Megas said:

Predictable answer especially for those who know me but it’s probably Metal Gear Solid. MGS3 is my favorite in the series but MGSV has the best stealth imo. And it’s very satisfying completing a mission with an S ranking

1 hour ago, Misty Shadow said:

I don't think I've played any stealth games outside of Metal Gear games, but when games incorporate stealth mechanics, I always play along with them because I find that easier to do than go guns blazing like I'm playing DOOM. Getting to instantly kill enemies from behind in RE4 Remake was really cool, one of my favorite upgrades to the remake. 

I've been thinking about trying out MGSV. I'm only hesitating because I prefer games with less guns and more movement and takedown options. But I'm probably going to play it in the future.

 

3 hours ago, Sasoriman said:

There's a handful I've played that I can count on one hand, but here are a few -

Neighbors from Hell - where you sneak around your neighbor's house and troll the shit outta him. 

Thief Simulator - what it sounds like: breaking into peoples' houses and stealing their items.

Spy Chameleon - with this one, you can speedrun and just ignore the flies/ladybugs, but getting 100% means you have to replay each level.

I know Neighbors from Hell!  I think it was the first stealth game I've ever played.

[Frostbit 2,461]

I'm playing Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts right now, and it's absolutely the most frustrating stealth game I've ever played. The aiming for luring stones shows as a barely visible circle on the ground, that's not always accurate. When I throw from behind a wall, I often just hit the corner. My drone randomly breaks after two seconds of flying, with no explanation other than "Drone lost". And the whole area can randomly go on full alert, without any warning.  Seriously, at first I thought they somehow saw a body, but on one try, they got alerted without me ever killing anyone. If not for the tons of those annoying bugs, the game would've been really satisfying.

Edit: A guy literally glitched through the ground and alerted everyone below 

Edited January 10, 2025 by Nitobit

[ZiggWheelsManning 16,509]

The first 2 or 3 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell games.  Nopony has mentioned them here  That glitch in the CIA level to exploit and make things easier.  

[Cash In 23,504]

In terms if stealth games, I usually try to work with the mechanics and avoid combat, unless I'm forced into it, but it depends on the game.

Giving yourself challenges is a pretty solid way of making the game more interesting and increasing replay value. I do that sometimes, where I'll try and beat stages or sections without getting spotted or killing enemies.

[Pentium100 2,367]

I try to not get spotted, I also prefer to use non-lethal methods of taking down the enemies as it is more challenging and fun. It is fun to play, say, Dishonored like that.

However, I dislike stealth games where I cannot hurt the enemies and especially those where I am not even allowed to look at them. I have recently played Call of Cthulhu (2018) and there was a stealth mission like that (cannot hurt the enemy, cannot even look at him). While I really like the game in general, I disliked that part.

[Snow 9,126]

The Metro series is the only games I have played recently that has a sort of stealth function, I do like the challenge especially when you are in a universe that doesn't offer enough firepower to go in guns blazing (Which is of course can be a loooot of fun)

I tend to avoid killing a foe that isn't actively trying to kill me, so sneaking, knocking out and of course stealing whatever loot without getting caught is all fine with me, I like the turning off light sources mechanic especially when paired with the night visions goggles.

[Frostbit 2,461]

He's back! Can't wait! 🗡

Edit: Coincidentally, the same day it got announced, I got my last achievement in the first Styx game 

[Rak 47]

A well made stealth game can be tons of fun.

Though I admit it's always funny when doing something more stealthily is way more optimal than anything else. Far Cry 5 comes to mind when any difficulty for clearing out the outposts sort of goes out the window as soon as you get access to a sniper rifle.

[Frostbit 2,461]

I just had a super satisfying run of Hitman Freelancer.  For those who don't know, in Freelancer, your targets and optional tasks are random each time you play, and on the mission you can find random items to help you. Two of my four side objectives were passive, just not getting detected or something. The third required defeating three guards with SMG, and the fourth was killing the boss when he was smoking. I set up a propane flask trap to explode near fire, and went to deal with the guards. And I finished in a perfect moment to see the explosion in the distance. All four tasks done, my first win on difficulty 3. 

Anyone else plays Hitman?

[Frostbit 2,461]

New Styx trailer! And they added back clone takedown 

[Night Sky 1,595]

I may have learned a little bit about playing stealth games, over the years. 

Sorry to use this thread as an opportunity for a shameless plug of my YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@TheEyeOfStone

[Frostbit 2,461]

I just finished the main story in Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew - the last game from Mimimi Games before they shut down, and absolutely the best, according to the local stealth connoisseur. 

It's a stealth strategy game, with cursed pirates with magical powers. On each mission you can choose where to start, where to finish, and which crew members to take, usually three per mission. Crew members are all unique and fun to play as, and there are plenty of side content and challenges, making the game very replayable.

And there's also something I'm really glad for - unlike in their older games, there are no challenges or achievements for speedrunning every mission. That was the main thing preventing me from 100%ing their other games. What's the point of putting a speedrunning achievement in a stealth game?

After finishing the main story, I still have only like, 40% completed, and I'm definitely gonna be going for all achievements and 100% completion.